Flight, January 8, 1915.
^ Tr
First Aero Weekly in the World.
Founder and Editor : STANLEY SPOONER.
A Journal devoted to the Interests, Practice, and Progress of Aerial Locomotion and Transport.
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ROYAL AERO CLUB OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
No. 315. (No. 2, Vol. VII.)] JANUARY 8, 1915.
Flight.
Editorial Office; 44, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, LONDON, W.C.
Telegrams : Truditur, Westrand, London. Telephone : Gerrard 1S28.
Annual Subscription Rates, Post Free.
United Kingdom ... 15s-. od. Abroad 201. od.
CONTENTS.
Editorial Comment:
The Safety of Flight Commander Hewlett
The Flying Services Fund
New Year Honours
The British Air Services
Milestones
New Year Honours
R.F.C. Aid Fund
Aircraft Work at the Front
Royal Aero Club. Official Notices
From the British Flying Grounds
Eddies. By " .Eolus"
Aircraft and the War
Enemy Patents Relating to Aeronautics ...
Models. Edited by V. E. Johnson, M.A.
Model Clubs Diary
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JXDSTOPiEAL COMMENT.
The Safety
of
Flight
Commander
Hewlett.
On Friday of last week, just as the first
issue of FLIGHT for the New Year had
come off the press, the very welcome item
of information transpired of the safety of
Flight Commander Francis E. T. Hewlett,
who had been reported as " missing " in connection with
the brilliant exploit of the Royal Naval Air Service on
Christmas Day. It appears, as recorded elsewhere in
this issue, he had been rescued by a Dutch trawler, and
after five days fishing with them was on New Year's Eve
enabled to communicate with England.
With the safe return of Mr. Hewlett, every one of the
seven officers were therefore accounted for, safe and
sound, after their daring exploit.
We are indeed rejoiced that the fears of disaster to
Mr. Hewlett generally entertained, and given expression
to in our last issue, have been proved groundless, and we
tender our sincere congratulations upon the happy issue
to this adventure to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Hewlett and
equally to His Majesty's Flying Services in having still
on the active list so valuable an officer as Flight
Commander Hewlett.
["Registered at the G.P.O.l ["Weekly. Price 3d.
L as a Newspaper. J Post Tree, 3Jd.
The
Flying-
Services
Fund.
Probably no more masterly action could
have been conceived by the Royal Aero
Club for closing the year 1914 than its
support in such substantial form of the
Fund for the benefit of the Flying Services
which it was invited to organise and administer by the
Admiralty and the Army Council. The momentous
decision having been taken, we trust no time will be lost
in commencing with a stirring appeal to the public for
subscriptions and donations to the Fund.
The brilliant performances of the officers of the
Royal Flying Corps as well as of the Royal Naval
Air Service during the closing week of the old year,
have done much to further impress on the minds of
the population of the Empire an appreciation of the
valuable services to the cause of the Allies which aircraft,
and those entrusted with its organisation, are rendering.
With the unflinching courage of our aviators in attacking
the enemy on his own ground so fresh in their minds, no
better opportunity could be afforded of bringing the Fund
sympathetically before the notice of the public, and having
regard to the fact that it starts off with the magnificent
contributions of ^1,000 each from the Club and from the
Brothers Michelin, and further substantial amounts, we
feel sure that, with generous publicity given to its objects
—that of supplementing Government provision for
members of the Flying Services permanently incapaci
tated while carrying out their duties, or for the wives and
dependants of those who may unfortunately be killed
while in action—it will not be long ere the Fund has
reached a five, and we are even sanguine enough to
suggest a six, figure total.
While the need for the immediate administration of
the Fund may not yet be pressing, the time for its organi
sation is NOW, and we trust that the Club will permit
nothing to stand in the way of it being publicly launched
at the earliest possible moment.
New Year
Honours.
Although it is, of course, in the order of
things that those connected with the
Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal
Flying Corps gladly take all necessary risks of duty on
active service, and naturally do not seek that they should
be specially rewarded for doing that duty, it is none the
less gratifying to record that both services have shared
in the honours which were announced on New Year's
Day. The three officers of the Royal Naval Air Service